A BIRMINGHAM businessman was gunned down in the street in front of his teenage son as he arrived home from work.

The 63-year-old married father, named locally as Talib Hussain, was walking towards the front door of the home he shares with his wife and children in Small Heath when he was ambushed at about 11.20pm yesterday.

Police said he slumped to the pavement after being shot a number of times with what was believed to a pistol as his young son looked on in horror.

The gunman fled to a waiting car which sped away from the scene as the youngster raised the alarm and comforted his wounded father.

The victim, who is believed to run an off-licence, was today in a critical but stable condition in hospital while his anguished family were being comforted by relatives.

Detectives said it looked as though he had been specifically targeted.

Officers have not yet established a motive for the shooting and were keeping an “open mind” about the shooting, although they do not believe it was a robbery gone wrong.

The scene, in Kenhelm Road today remained cordoned off by police.

Acting Det Chief Insp Simon Vowles, from Stechford CID, said: “The victim was returning from his business and going towards his house when the offender has approached him and shot him a number of times.

“We have not yet been able to speak with him to get an account of what happened. He did have his young son with him and we will interview him later.

“It does appear as though he had been specifically targeted although we are not sure whether he has been followed home or if someone has been waiting for him.

“Robbery doesn’t appear to be a motive. We are keeping an open mind.”

Forensics specialists and police search teams were due to return to the street today to carry out a detailed examination for evidence.

Officers were also conducting house-to-house inquiries and trying to locate footage from any CCTV cameras in the area that might have captured crucial clues to the incident.

Detectives were hoping to be able to speak with the victim later today.

Mr Vowles appealed for anyone who saw the small dark-coloured getaway car speeding from the scene along Kenelm Road towards Charles Road, or anything else suspicious to come forward.

Meanwhile, residents described their shock at the shooting.

One neighbour, who asked not to be named, aged 50 said: “Talib Hussain was coming back from work when someone attacked him.

“It is a long-standing dispute in the Mipuri community. One of his sons was beaten upon about a year ago and there has been trouble down that road in the past.”

Anyone with information is asked to call detectives at Stechford police station on 0845 113 5000 or the anonymous Crimestoppers hotline on 0800 555111.